Container capper



June 23, 1964 J. DECKER ETAL CONTAINER CAPPER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed y1961 E M 7 y Q h a, A M

.2 M f m; M W/W T 4 ml fly u HQ mha 5 7 7% MW /fl n Hu A z June 23, 19643 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 5. 1961 m\\\ m .n \N \\L a e NZ 5 NA 9 m K \x\R, E w Th N M J l k I a] I 5 W I w y w J June 23, 1964 J. DECKER ETALCONTAINER CAPPER s Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 5. 1961 United States Patent3,137,982 (IGNTAINER CAPPER Hudson Decker, Birmingham, and Gerald D.Gilmore, Rochester, Mich assignors to Bopp-Decker Flastics, Inn,Birmingham, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Filed May 5, 1961, Ser. No.108,149 15 (Ilaims. (Cl. 53-415) This invention relates to improvementsin container capping machines and in particular concerns improvements inthe cap dispensing system and in the cap applying means which cooperateto locate and place caps firmly on containers. The improved dispensingsystem and applying means are particularly adapted for use withautomatic container filling and conveying apparatus which operate atrelatively high speeds, and may be used for containers and caps of anymaterial including plastic and metal.

In using automatic capping machines for the rapid automatic assembly ofcaps onto containers, the problem necessarily arises of feeding caps oneat a time to the cap dispensing device which locates the caps properlyon the container tops for their subsequent forcible and final assemblyon the containers. The difficulty in so feeding the caps one at a timearises from the fact that the caps generally are provided with flangeswhich form recesses on one side of the caps into which an adjacent capwill nest and frequently become frictionally held. This nesting isparticularly prominent when the flanges are outwardly tapered. Onemethod of separating these caps from frictional attachment to each otheris of course manually which would defeat to a large extent the utilityand effectiveness of the automatic capping machine with its automaticfeeding and dispensing means. It is noted that it is generally thepractice to supply these container caps to the assembler of thecontainer and cap in the form of stacks wherein the caps are frequentlyarranged in a nested manner as mentioned above.

In view of the foregoing, it is a principal object of applicantsinvention to provide in a high speed cap dispensing and applying system,a cap separating and feeding means which is adapted to receive theentire stack of nested caps, effectively separate these caps fromfrictional attachment to each other, feed these caps in a continuousmanner to the individual cap dispensing means, locate the cap properlywith respect to the top of the container, and then forcibly andfrictionally secure the caps to the container tops.

This principal object is generally accomplished by applicants by theprovision of a set of cap separating and feeding rolls which have theirlongitudinal axes substantially in a horizontal plane or possiblyslightly inclined toward the cap dispensing means or chute. These rollsare adapted to receive the entire stack of nested caps lying on theirsides just as they are received from the cap manufacturer, and to rotatethis stack of caps so as to impart rotative, jiggling, and longitudinalmotion to the caps to effectively separate each from the other in theirmovement toward the individual cap dispensing means or chute. Sometimesthe caps are provided with a pcripheral flange which tapers radiallyoutwardly as it extends axially from the cap top, and when using thesetypes of caps the feeding rolls may be maintained horizontal since theslope of the flanges tend to automatically feed the stack longitudinallyof the rolls toward the dispensing chute. If the cap flanges do nottaper, a slight inclination of the rolls will facilitate their feedingtoward the dispensing chute.

The dispensing chute is a very low friction rod type which terminates inresilient retaining means for frictionally holding back the caps as theyattempt to emerge ice from the chute. The frictional force of theretaining means is overcome by the action of the containers as they movealong the conveyor and engage the caps to pull them one by one from thechute.

As the caps are being pulled from the chute, applicants improved capapplying roller mechanism effectively positions and forces the caps ontothe containers. The details of the roller mechanism shall be explainedbelow with reference to the overall operation of the dispensing andconveying systems for purposes of clarity. It suffices to say here thatthe leading roller assist the containers in dragging the cap from thechute while simultaneously starting the cap toward its downward positionon the container, that a latter roller is provided for properlypositioning displaced caps on the container tops, and that a trailingroller completes the downward motion of the cap on the container whileimparting the proper linear speed to the container with respect to theconveying system to prevent tipping of the container.

It is, therefore, a specific object of this invention to provide a noveltype of cap separating and feeding device for use with automatic cappingmachines and similar apparatus which must automatically separate andfeed caps which may have become frictionally attached to each other bynesting of each within the flanges of the adjacent ones.

Another specific object is to provide an improved type of cap dispensingchute and cooperating cap retaining means for use with the aforesaidimproved cap separating and feeding mechanism.

A further specific object is to provide an improved roller type of capapplying means for use and cooperation with the aforesaid improved chuteretaining means, and cap feeding device.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description and drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 represents an isometric elevational view of applicants cappingmachine;

FIGURE 2 represents a top plan view of the machine of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 represents a partial cross sectional View of the cap separatingand feeding device taken along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2 with portionsthereof broken away;

FIGURE 4 represents a partial longitudinal cross sectional view of thecap dispensing and applying means and a conveyor system taken along theline corresponding to 4-4 of FIGURE 1 in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 5 represents an end view of the cap separating and feeding deviceof FIGURE 1 with the end hearing plate removed showing a portion of thedispensing chute;

FIGURE 6 represents a cross sectional view of the chute taken along theline corresponding to 66 of FIGURE 4 in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 7 represents a partial cross sectional view of the cap retainingmeans of FIGURE 4 taken along the line 7-7 thereof in the direction ofthe arrows; and

FIGURE 8 represents a partial cross sectional view of the guide railsupporting and adjusting structure of FIGURE 1 taken along the linecorresponding to 8-8 thereof in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings, applicants automatic capping machine isgenerally designated 10 and essentially comprises a continuous conveyorsystem generally designated 12, cap separating and feeding meansgenerally designated 14 supported on a frame generally designated 16,cap dispensing means or chute 18, and a cap applying means or rollermechanism generally designated 20. The combined cap separating andfeeding means, and the cap dispensing means or chute may conveniently becalled the cap dispensing system.

The conveyor system 12 comprises a continuous flexible belt having anupper portion 22 and a lower portion 24 supported by and stretchedbetween a pair of rollertype pulleys, only one of which is shown at 26in FIG- URES 1, 2, and 4. Pulley 26 is shown to be the drive pulley forthe belt although the other pulley could be, and is provided with ashaft 28 mounted in bearings or pillow blocks 30 secured to the front ofthe frame 16 on the end posts or legs 32 by suitable means such as bolts33. One end 34 of shaft 28 is provided with a driven pulley 36 and adriving pulley 38. Pulley 36 is connected by means of a belt 39 to asuitable driving means such as an electric motor, the speed of which isregulated by any of the conventional pulley arrangements or gearreduction units so that the conveyor belt is moved along at the desiredspeed. The companion roller pulley of pulley 26 which supports the beltat the inlet end of the capping machine is not shown but may be ofidentical structure to pulley 26 with the exception that it is notdriven and is therefore an idler pulley.

Top portion 22 of the conveyor belt is supported upon a fiat plate 40 ofany sturdy material secured between the leg pairs 32, 42 and 44 of theframe 16. Plate 40 provides stability to the containers 41 as they movealong the conveyor belt from the inlet end 43 to the outlet end 46 ofthe capping machine. Adjacent the outlet end 46 of the machine anotherconveyor or a downwardly sloping take-away slide or any other means 48may be provided to remove the filled and capped containers 41 from themachine. A second support plate 50 may be provided underneath the bottomportion 24 of the conveyor belt to prevent it from excessive sag andstretching, particularly if the conveyor belt is of considerable lengthand weight.

In order to maintain the containers 41 in a designated path through thecapping machine, any number of side rails such as 51 and 52 may beprovided on either side of the conveyor to guide the containers.Referring to FIGURE 8, these rails are adjustable in and out withrespect to the containers and conveyor belt by means of studs 54 whichproject through apertures 56 in blocks 58 provided with set screws 60which may be tightened against studs 54 when the rails are properlypositioned with respect to the sides of the containers. Blocks 58further slidably receive and are supported by support rods 62 welded orotherwise secured to the longitudinal frame supports 64, and are furtherprovided with set screws 66 which may be tightened against the rods 62when the rails are properly positioned lengthwise of the containers.

The cap separating and feeding means 14 comprises a pair of rolls 68each having a supporting shaft 70 integral with a plug secured in theforward end of each 'of said rolls, said shafts being journalled inbearings 72 supported in bearing plate 74. These rolls are furtherprovided with supporting shafts 76 integral with a plug secured in therear end of each said roll and supported in bearings 78 mounted insection 80 of a motor container generally designated 82. As shown inFIGURES 3 and 5, bearing plate 74 is secured by bolts or other suitablemeans 83 to the plugged or covered ends 84 of the frame members 85 andto the upper portions 86 of flanges 87 which are described below. Themotor container 82 comprises the forward housing portion 80, therearward housing portion 88, a covering shroud 90, a removable cover 91,and a base plate 92 removably secured by bolts 94 to the frame crossbars 96 and 9S welded or otherwise secured to the longitudinal top framesupports 85. Cover 91 is secured in place by screws 93 and the motorsupport is removably secured to plate 92 by bolts 97.

Rolls 68, as shown in FIGURES 3 and 5, are spaced apart and driven bythe motor 102 through the drive belt 104 driven by the motor driveshaftpulley 106. Belt 104 is received by the pulleys 107 secured to the shaft4- 76 of each of the rolls. As shown in FIGURE 5, the pulleys are in atriangular arrangement so that the rolls 68 will rotate in the samedirection to impart rotative motion to the container caps 108 supportedon their edges between rolls 68. A pair of flanges 87 which mayconveniently be formed from an extension of the metal shroud 90 areturned inwardly and downwardly toward the rolls 68 as shown in FIGURE 5so that sideways loading of the stack 126 of container caps onto therolls 68 can readily be accomplished. These flanges also preventexcessive motion of the caps 108 in a lateral direction.

The cap dispensing means or chute 18 comprises a pair of top rods 114, apair of bottom rods 116 and a pair of edge rods 118. These rods arespaced apart sufi'iciently so that only one cap at a time can possiblyslide through the chute and are preferably welded in place within one ormore bands longitudinally spaced along the chute and secured to frame 16by means such as bracket 121. Rods 114 extend to the bottom edge 122 ofthe front support plate 74 and may be welded thereto to support thechute 18. The bottom rods 116 extend upwardly through the space betweenthe frame cross bar 117 and the end plate 74 to a point underlying theinner periphery of the rolls 68 and may be welded to the bar 117 whichis welded to the longitudinal frame members 85 passing through bar 117as shown in FIGURE 5. The edge rods 118 likewise extend through theopening between the cross bar 117 an the end plate 74 to a point justbeneath the forward shafts 70 of the rolls 68. The forward end portionsof the flanges 87 are notched at 124 to allow the caps 108, as shown inFIGURES 2, 3, and 6 to fall down into the chute 18 between the rods 114,116, and 118 as the rolls 68 feed the stack of caps 126 toward theforward end 128 of the rolls. It is noted that these forward ends 128 ofthe rolls are smooth and form in cooperation with the rods 116, 118, andend plate 74 a smooth frictionless opening 130 in the bottom of theseparating and feeding means 14 for allowing only one cap at a time todrop off of the ends of the rolls 68 into the dispensing chute 18.

Chute 18 extends downwardly on an arc of sufficient radius so as not tobind the caps 108 therein, to a position overlying the tops 113 of thecontainers 41 and is supported by band 120 and bracket 121 to themembers 64 on either side of the frame 16. The top rods 114 extenddownwardly further than the bottom rods 116 so that the leading edges132 of the containers will not be able to brush by the bottom edges 134of the cap flanges 138 as the containers move underneath the caps, but,will be forced to engage the inside surface 136 of the flanges and pullthe caps out of the chute 18.

As shown in FIGURE 7, the resilient cap retaining means comprises a pairof spring arms 140 flush mounted in slots in the inner surfaces of theedge rods 118 and may be conveniently secured thereto by spot welds. Adjusting screws 142 may be threadedly received into strengthening pieces143 and rods 118 and engageable with the springs 140 to urge themfurther toward the caps 108 should more frictional resistance to pullingof the cap out of the chute 18 be required.

The cap applying means generally designated 20 comprises a series ofthree rollers 144, 146, and 148. As shown in FIGURE 2, these rollers areprovided with shafts 150, 152, and 154 respectively, and are journalledat each end in bearing plates 156 secured to frame members 64 by weldingor bolt means 158. Should it be desired, the bolts 158 may be receivedin slots in the bearing plates 156 so that the cap applying means 20 maybe adjusted as a unit either vertically or longitudinally with respectto the containers 41. The shafts and 154 of rollers 144 and 148respectively, are provided at one end with pulleys 160 and 162respectively, which are drivingly connected by a belt 164. A secondpulley 166 on shaft 154 is drivingly connected by a twisted belt 168 topulley 38 mounted on shaft 28 of roller pulley 26 to drive rollers 144and 148 in a counterclockwise direction so that these rollers cancooperate with conveyor 22 in moving the caps and containerssimultaneously along the conveyor 22. The leading roller 144 may be ofslightly less diameter than trailing roller 148 so that it will onlyrelatively lightly engage the caps 108 and tend to assist the containerin pulling the cap out of the chute 18 while urging the cap downwardlyover the leading edge 132 of the container. It frequently happens,however, that cap 108 slides or is pulled beyond the edge 132 of thecontainer as it is forcibly pulled from the chute. For the purpose ofproperly seating these caps which are improperly positioned on thecontainers, an undriven idler roller 146 is provided which will exertdrag forces on the caps tending to retard their forward motion under theinfluence of driven roller 144 so that the leading edges 132 of thecontainers will catch up with the inner surfaces 136 of the cap flange138. It is noted that roller 146 extends slightly below roller 144 butslightly above roller 148 and as the partially capped container passesunder roller 148 the caps will be urged to their finally seated positionon the containers.

What is claimed is:

l. A cap dispensing system for an automatic container capping machinecomprising means for imparting rotative motion at the radial edges of aplurality of caps which are disposed in substantially stackedrelationship relative to a substantially common axis to separate thesame from frictional attachment to each other, and means for receivingeach one of said separated caps and dispensing it to a container.

2. A cap dispensing system for an automatic container capping machinecomprising roller means for supporting and imparting rotative motion toa plurality of caps which are disposed in substantially stackedrelationship to separate the same from frictional attachment to eachother, said roller means being constructed for supporting said capsedgewise with the axis of the stack in a substantially horizontal plane,and means for receiving each one of said separated caps and dispensingit to a container.

3. A cap dispensing system for an automatic container capping machinecomprising means for imparting rotative and jiggling motion at theradial edges to a plurality of caps which are disposed in substantiallystacked relationship along a substantially common axis to separate thesame from frictional attachment to each other, means for receiving eachone of said separated caps and dispensing it to a container, said firstmeans being further adapted for moving said plurality of capssimultaneously toward said latter means.

4. An automatic container capping machine comprising conveyor means forsupporting and moving containers in an upright position, cap dispensingmeans positioned over said conveyor means for positioning caps one at atime for engagement by said containers as they move on said conveyormeans, cap feeding means for supporting a plurality of caps stacked Withtheir axes substantially along one line and in a substantiallyhorizontal position and for rotating and jiggling the same to separatethe caps from frictional attachment to each other, said feeding meanscommunicating with the inlet end of said dispensing means and beingadapted to move said stack theretoward, and cap applying meanspositioned over said conveyor means near the outlet end of saiddispensing means for engaging the tops of said caps and forcing themonto the containers.

5. An automatic container capping machine comprising conveyor means forsupporting and moving containers in an upright position, cap dispensingmeans positioned over said conveyor means for positioning caps one at atime for engagement by said containers as they move on said conveyormeans, cap feeding means for supporting a stack of caps in asubstantially horizontal position and for rotating and jiggling the sameto separate the caps from frictional attachment to each other, saidfeeding means communicating with the inlet end of said dispensing meansand being adapted to move said stack theretoward, and cap applying meanspositioned over said conveyor means near the outlet end of saiddispensing means for engaging the tops of said caps and forcing themonto the containers, said cap applying means comprising a series ofrollers the leading one of which is positioned slightly further fromsaid conveyor than the other rollers of said applying means.

6. An automatic container capping machine comprising conveyor means forsupporting and moving containers in an upright position, cap dispensingmeans positioned over said conveyor means for positioning caps one at atime for engagement by said containers as they move on said conveyormeans, cap feeding means for supporting a stack of caps in asubstantially horizontal position and for rotating and jiggling the sameto separate the caps from frictional attachment to each other, saidfeeding means communicating with the inlet end of said dispensing meansand being adapted tomove said stack theretoward, and cap applying meanspositioned over said conveyor means near the outlet end of saiddispensing means for engaging the tops of said caps and forcing themonto the containers, said cap applying means comprising a series ofrollers the leading one of which is positioned slightly further fromsaid conveyor than the other rollers of said applying means, and one ofsaid rollers of said applying means being positioned closer to saidconveyor means than said leading roller for exerting a drag on the capswhile forcing them onto the containers.

7. An automatic container capping machine comprising conveyor means forsupporting and moving containers in an upright position, cap dispensingmeans positioned over said conveyor means for positioning caps one at atime for engagement by said containers as they move on said conveyormeans, cap feeding means for supporting a stack of caps in asubstantially horizontal position and for rotating and jiggling the sameto separate the caps from frictional attachment to each other, saidfeeding means communicating with the inlet end of said dispensing meansand being adapted to move said stack theretoward, and cap applying meanspositioned over said conveyor means near the outlet end of saiddispensing means for engaging the tops of said caps and forcing themonto the containers, said cap applying means comprising a series ofrollers the leading one of which is driven and positioned slightlyfurther from said conveyor than the other rollers of said applyingmeans, and one of said rollers of said applying means being an idlerroller positioned closer to said conveyor means than said leading rollerfor exerting a drag on the caps while forcing them onto the containers.

8. A cap dispensing system for an automatic container capping machinecomprising roller means for supporting and imparting rotative motion toa plurality of caps which are disposed in substantially stackedrelationship to separate the same from frictional attachment to eachother, said roller means including a pair of substantially horizontal,longitudinally extending, spaced, rotatably mounted rollers, and meansfor receiving each one of said separated caps and dispensing it to acontainer.

9. A cap dispensing system for an automatic container capping machinecomprising roller means for supporting and imparting rotative motion toa plurality of caps which are disposed in substantially stackedrelationship to separate the same from frictional attachment to eachother, said roller means including a pair of longitudinally extending,rotatably mounted rollers having substantially continuous and uniformperipheral surfaces and with said surfaces being spaced from each othera linear distance less than the outside diameter of the caps, means forrotating said rollers in the same direction, and means for receivingeach one of said separated caps and dispensing it to a container.

10. The dispensing system of claim 9 further including a pair oflongitudinally extending flanges disposed upwardly from and proximate tosaid pair of rollers.

11. An automatic container capping machine comprising conveyor means forsupporting and moving containers in an upright position, cap dispensingmeans posi tioned over said conveyor means for positioning caps one at atime for engagement by said containers as they move on said conveyormeans, cap feeding means for supporting a stack of caps edgewise and forrotating the same to separate the caps from frictional attachment toeach other, said feeding means communicating with the inlet end of saiddispensing means and being adapted to move the stack of capstheretoward, and cap applying means positioned over said conveyor meansnear the outlet end of said dispensing means for engaging the tops ofsaid caps and forcing them onto the container, said cap applying meanscomprising a series of rollers with a leading one of said rollers beingpositioned slightly further from said conveyor means than the others ofsaid rollers and with a second one of said rollers being an idler rollerpositioned closer to said conveyor means than said leading roller forexerting a drag on the caps and with a third one of said rollerspositioned after said second roller and closer to said conveyor meansthan said idler roller for forcing the caps onto the containers, andmeans for rotating said first and said third rollers.

12. An automatic container capping machine comprising conveyor means forsupporting and moving containers in an upright position and cap applyingmeans positioned over said conveyor means for forcing caps onto thecontainers, said cap applying means comprising a series of rollers witha leading one of said rollers being positioned slightly further fromsaid conveyor means than the others of said rollers and with a secondone of said rollers being an idler roller positioned closer to saidconveyor means than said leading roller for exerting a drag on the capsand with a third one of said rollers positioned after said second rollerand closer to said conveyor means than said idler roller for forcing thecaps onto the containers, and means for rotating said first and saidthird rollers.

13. An automatic container capping machine comprising conveyor means forsupporting and moving containers in an upright position, cap dispensingmeans positioned over said conveyor means for positioning caps at anoutlet end one at a time for engagement by said containers as they moveon said conveyor means, and cap applying means positioned over saidconveyor means and proximate to said outlet end of said cap dispensingmeans for forcing caps onto the container, said cap applying meanscomprising a series of rollers with a leading one of said rollers beingpositioned slightly further from said conveyor means than the others ofsaid rollers for engaging that one of the caps held at said outlet endof said cap dispensing means and with a second one of said rollers beingan idler roller positioned closer to said conveyor means than saidleading roller for exerting a drag on the caps and with a third one ofsaid rollers positioned after said second roller and closer to saidconveyor means than said idler roller for forcing the caps onto thecontainers, and means for rotating said first and said third rollers.

14. The capping machine of claim 13 with said lead ing one of saidrollers being of a smaller diameter than said third one of said rollersand with said means for rotating said first and said third rollers beingcommon to both said first and said third rollers.

15. A cap dispensing system comprising means for imparting rotativemotion at the radial edges of a plurality of caps which are disposed insubstantially stacked relationship relative to a substantially commonaxis to separate the same from frictional attachment to each other, andmeans for receiving each one of said separated caps and dispensing it.

16. A cap dispensing system comprising roller means for supporting andimparting rotative motion to a plurality of caps which are disposed insubstantially stacked relationship to separate the same from frictionalattachment to each other, said roller means being constructed forsupporting said caps edgewise with the axis of the stack in asubstantially horizontal plane, and means for receiving each one of saidseparated caps and dispensingit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,445,296 Clark Feb. 13, 1923 2,340,639 Brinton et al Feb. 1, 19442,369,762 Stewart et al. Feb. 20, 1945 2,840,963 Osmond July 1, 19582,942,395 Thoren June 28, 1960

4. AN AUTOMATIC CONTAINER CAPPING MACHINE COMPRISING CONVEYOR MEANS FORSUPPORTING AND MOVING CONTAINERS IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION, CAP DISPENSINGMEANS POSITIONED OVER SAID CONVEYOR MEANS FOR POSITIONING CAPS ONE AT ATIME FOR ENGAGEMENT BY SAID CONTAINERS AS THEY MOVE ON SAID CONVEYORMEANS, CAP FEEDING MEANS FOR SUPPORTING A PLURALITY OF CAPS STACKED WITHTHEIR AXES SUBSTANTIALLY ALONG ONE LINE AND IN A SUBSTANTIALLYHORIZONTAL POSITION AND FOR ROTATING AND JIGGLING THE SAME TO SEPARATETHE CAPS FROM FRICTIONAL ATTACHMENT TO EACH OTHER, SAID FEEDING MEANSCOMMUNICATING WITH THE INLET END OF SAID DISPENSING MEANS AND BEINGADAPTED TO MOVE SAID STACK THERETOWARD, AND CAP APPLYING MEANSPOSITIONED OVER SAID CONVEYOR MEANS NEAR THE OUTLET END OF SAIDDISPENSING MEANS FOR ENGAGING THE TOPS OF SAID CAPS AND FORCING THEMONTO THE CONTAINERS.